A Different Way of Taking Off at J.F.K.

By MARY PILON

Published: April 15, 2013

Boston Marathon on Monday may have missed a lesser-known event that drew Richards and 1,011 others to the airport for J.F.K.’s Run on the Runway 5K.">

As a pilot, Alexander Richards spends a fair amount of his time on runways. But as he arrived at John F. Kennedy International Airport in Queens early Sunday morning, he had a different flight plan in mind: he was going to run on the runway.

Those looking forward to the Boston Marathon on Monday may have missed a lesser-known event that drew Richards and 1,011 others to the airport for J.F.K.’s Run on the Runway 5K.

“When I heard about the race, I knew I had to run it,” Richards said. “I’m surprised they let us do it. When else am I going to do this?”

The race takes place on a runway — Sunday’s designated stretch was not revealed to runners until they arrived — at J.F.K., one of the world’s busiest airports, creating the unusual sight of spandex-clad passengers mingling on the AirTrain with luggage-toting travelers unsure why they were surrounded by runners.

Sponsored by the J.F.K. Rotary Club, the event began in 1972 as a 10K, with part of the race run outside the airport grounds. The proceeds from the event go to scholarships and numerous charitable efforts, including the Rotary’s Gift of Life program.

Such flat-racing is not limited to New York City. Several airports have hosted such races, including Toronto Pearson, Chicago O’Hare and Teterboro.

“There’s a uniqueness to running on a runway because usually, you don’t get to do it,” Scott Bassett, who organizes a runway race at the Piedmont Triad Airport in North Carolina, said. “You’re not going to find a street that’s as flat as a runway.”

The aviation history of North Carolina, where the Wright brothers staged the first manned plane flight in 1903, is on display at the race, in Greenpoint, as old planes decorate the runway.

But the race at J.F.K., true to the nature of the airport, was sprawling and distinctly urban, with buildings visible in the distance. Runners were instructed to allow extra time for the AirTrain. Then they took a bus to the parking lot outside Building 14, the hub of prerace activity.

Runners then boarded another set of buses bound for the starting line. They rode around the terminals and through the cargo lots, alongside Gate Gourmet trucks and beneath planes soaring overhead.

“Even when you’re used to coming here, you forget how big it is,” said Susan Jensen, of Long Island. Jensen, who said she planned to walk the course, also recruited her husband, who works at the airport; her sister-in-law; and a friend who works for Lufthansa.

At the start line, runners bobbed up and down across the concrete prairie, stretching, giving pep talks and pointing to the flight control tower. The weather was crisp and clear, perfect for running, the odor of jet fuel aside. Some runners waved at passengers on the planes above — morning travelers who were probably baffled by the sight of runners trotting along the tarmac.

The event was far enough away from J.F.K.’s typical bustle, but thumping wind socks and the difficulty in securing the finish line tape were reminders of the challenges of holding a race on a runway.

Runners never set foot inside the airport and were spared having to go through metal detectors. They were permitted to carry water bottles — and keep their shoes on — but they were also under the watchful eye of security guards on foot and in cars that traveled alongside the runners.

“We maintain a strong security presence,” the event’s organizer, Rudy Auslander, said. “It helps that when you’re running, you don’t have much baggage; it’s not like going on an airport normally.”

While many of the runners were connected to the rotary group, according to Auslander, there was a strong contingent of frequent fliers and general aviation enthusiasts.

“We couldn’t get on standby,” joked Mary Showstark, a 33-year-old physician assistant who had her platinum Delta credit card with her at the start line.

With the ceremonial sound of an air horn, the race was off, the runners staying to the right down the runway, guided by orange cones, hooking back to the finish line, many stopping to take photographs with their cellphones of themselves on the tarmac or jogging as planes flew overhead, a scene that was part action film, part major studio comedy.

“I remember the old days, when you could do the ‘Wayne’s World’ thing and watch the planes come in,” said Phil Lederer, an electrician who was cheering on his wife and daughter in the race. “I guess this is kind of like that.”

The runners crossed the line to the theme from “Chariots of Fire.”

The unusual course was a welcome change for Ramon J. Goni, a 31-year-old filmmaker who has seasonal allergies. “No trees, no plants,” he said. “It felt great out there.”

The race also drew many from out of state. Geoffrey Palcher, 28, works at the State Department in Washington, but as a US Airways frequent flier was drawn by the unusual running opportunity, and he also gained airline miles.

“I’m in airports a lot,” he said.

Palcher finished in 28 minutes 38 seconds and planned to head back to Washington on Sunday night. His flight, however, was scheduled to depart from LaGuardia.

PHOTOS: J.F.K.’s Run on the Runway 5K, an annual race at John F. Kennedy International Airport in Queens, was held Sunday with 1,012 entrants. The event was first held in 1972. (PHOTOGRAPHS BY PIOTR REDLINSKI FOR THE NEW YORK TIMES)

Boston Marathon on Monday may have missed a lesser-known event that drew Richards and 1,011 others to the airport for J.F.K.’s Run on the Runway 5K.">